Spring is here which means longer, brighter days! What better way to celebrate warm weather with some colorful and delicious foods? Three items in our produce department now are not only beneficial to our health but make wonderful contributors to recipes!
Valencia Oranges
This delicious fruit is perfect for boosting immunity by providing Vitamin C, which can help fight off free radicals that cause cancer and maintain skin health with collagen production. Valencia oranges are packed with fiber and potassium which help reduce cholesterol, keep the digestive tract healthy and improve some factors that can aid in diabetes progression.
Vine Cluster Tomatoes
Tomatoes contain valuable vitamins and nutrients such as iron, potassium, and lycopene. Iron promotes better circulation and oxygen distribution to keep the body functioning. Potassium can help reduce blood pressure and water retention, protect against stroke as well as prevent 
osteoporosis and kidney stones. Lycopene in increased amounts has been associated with a reduction in cardiovascular disease.
Mini Sweet Peppers
These delicious mini peppers can be used in dishes or even as a snack! There are many benefits to these peppers far beyond the appealing colors. Mini sweet peppers have minimal saturated fat, cholesterol, and sodium. They are also packed with fiber and Vitamin C. In one single serving of these peppers, you could get over 150% of your daily value of Vitamin C. These peppers also contain valuable sources of carotene, vitamin E, vitamin B6, and folate, all of which help create strong, healthy bodies.
Sources:
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/272782#nutrition)
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3972926/
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/bell-peppers#other-vitamins-and-minerals
Slow Cooker Chicken Fajitas
Recipe and photo adapted from extension.unh.edu
Ingredients
1 lb boneless chicken breasts
1 medium onion, thinly sliced
1 bag mini peppers, sliced into strips
½ lb vine cluster tomatoes, chopped
1 T taco seasoning
8 corn or flour tortillas
Optional Toppings: shredded cheese, shredded lettuce, guacamole, sour cream, and salsa
Directions
1.Wash your hands with warm water and soap for at least 20 seconds before handling food.
2.Wash and dry mini peppers and tomatoes.
3.Place chicken breast in the slow cookers. Wash hands again after handling the chicken.
4.Peel and halve the onion then thinly slice.
5.Core, deseed and slice mini peppers then place them and onion on top of chicken.
6.Sprinkle taco seasoning over the mixture and place lid on the slow cooker.
7.Cook on low for 6-7 hours or cook on high for 3-4 hours until the chicken is ready. To check, insert a food thermometer into the center of the chicken breast. Chicken should read at least 165 F.
8.Once the filling is ready to serve, dice up tomato and place some on each corn or wheat tortilla.
9.Spoon out chicken mixture on top of tomato and tortilla, add additional toppings of choice and enjoy!
Orange Rice Salad
Recipe and photo adapted from foodhero.org
Ingredients
2 cups cooked brown rice, cooled
½ cup diced celery
¾ cup raisins or dried fruit of choice
¼ cup chopped nuts
2 T vegetable oil
¼ cup chopped parsley
3 green onions, thinly sliced
1½ cups of Valencia oranges, peeled and separated into bite-size pieces
salt and pepper to taste
Directions
1.Mix all ingredients together in a medium-sized bowl.
2.Chill for 90 minutes to allow flavors to blend.
3.Serve and enjoy!
